The world has never known a greater piano playing duo than Arthur Ferrante and Louis Teicher; they were not only two very talented musicians, but they were also great virtuoso showmen who exuded a lot of style and class -- they truly were the “grand twins of the twin grands.”

They had two holiday albums, both released by United Artists Records: Snowbound, which was released in 1962; and We Wish You A Merry Christmas, which was released in 1966.

Here now is a rare and great clip of the boys performing one of their very best songs from the first album, Snowbound, on the Dean Martin Show; it’s their wonderful rendition of "Brazilian Sleigh Bells."

As a bonus, for a sample of their regular music, here they are performing live on TV their brilliant interpretation of "Midnight Cowboy" (their third biggest hit) from their 1969 LP of the same name; the song was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 15 weeks, peaking at an impressive #10:

By the way, being the avid collector that you are, I just wanted to let you know (and anyone else who might be interested) that the boys actually released a holiday album years before their first holiday release for United Artists Records: it was an album that employed some pretty wild experimental techniques on the piano. The album had a limited release, and consequently, limited sales, due to the small record company, Westminster Records, that distributed it.

The album was originally released in 1954 as a 10" LP with eight songs called Xmas Hi-Fivories:

Then, the next year, in 1955 (some websites incorrectly show the year as 1956), it was re-released as a 12" LP with twelve songs called Adventure In Carols:

I have never counted this album as their first "legitimate" holiday release simply because the music on this LP is not very good and is nothing at all like their later trademark music they would become famous for.

Thanks for the information. I didn't know that there was any earlier Christmas releases by Ferrante & Teicher. I'll have to try and find them just to add to my collection, probably just for nostalgic reasons.

Thanks once again.

BTW, I can't remember if I told you or not, but I was able to find an original release of ''We Wish You A Merry Christmas'' with the red and green candy canes, ribbon and holly on the back of the album jacket.

Yes Susan, Ferrante and Teicher's original holiday album is definitely worth having for nostalgic reasons. My recommendation for you is to go for the 12" LP, this way you'll have all twelve songs; besides the fact that the original 10" LP will be very hard to find.

I'm glad you found an original pressing of We Wish You A Merry Christmas with the color back cover. I didn't think it would be too difficult for you to find. The color back cover is so much nicer than the later reissue black and white.

Now that you have it, you should update your blog. As I told you, I don't think most people realize the original back cover was in color.

Very nice addition to the "In The Spotlight" series. Though I have heard of Ferrante & Teicher, I have never actually listened to anything that they have recorded. Based on the clips you have provided for us, I must say they are very impressive musicians and showmen.

Those looking for the duo's UA Christmas recordings on CD can get them two ways.

Capitol issued a "twofer" CD in 1992, which contains both albums in their original running order. Unfortunately, it's long out of print and used copies can be pretty expensive.[url]http://www.amazon.com/Snowbound-Wish-You-Merry-Christmas/dp/B000008FK8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1259090614&sr=8-7[/url]

A later Capitol release, [i]Christmas Is So Special[/i], presents the songs out of their original order, omits two [i]Snowbound[/i] tracks ("Moonlight In Vermont" and "Moonlight Serenade"), adds "Ave Maria" from a different album session, and has all-new cover art. It's easier to find than the other CD, though, and is also available as an mp3 download if that's your preference.[url]http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-So-Special-Ferrante-Teicher/dp/B00004ZDNF[/url]

The dual pianos combined with Les Baxter for a bouncy version of "Sleigh Bells" combined with "Santa's Christmas Party". I've heard this one on "Holiday Traditions". The dial shows it as "Sleigh Bells/Santa's Christmas Party".

I'd like to correct my last post. Santa Claus' Party was not a collaboration between Ferrante and Teicher and Les Brown. The song was Les Brown's exclusively. Sirius/XMs Holiday Traditions somehow showed it on the dial as Ferrante and Teicher/Les Brown.

The song played on Music Choice and showed it as Les Brown only. I didn't hear any pianos, so I'm not surprised. Thanks, Music Choice for the correction!

These quasi-medleys were a hallmark of the Christmas Cocktails series, for some reason. That same volume has Al Caiola and Riz Ortolani's version of "Sleigh Ride" paired with Jimmy McGriff's "Jingle Bells", and George Shearing's "Snowfall" together with Billy May's "Snowfall Cha-Cha-Cha". On Vol. 1, they edit the Hollyridge Strings' "Jingle Bells" and "Jingle Bell Rock" together.

Motown Mike, that's very interesting! I wonder where Music Choice sourced the track from. Regardless, I had never heard Santa Claus' Party and liked it very much. An unknown chestnut uncovered, regardless of the sourcing! In fact, Sirius/XM showed it on the dial just as you refer to it, Sleigh Ride/Santa Claus' Party, credited to Les Brown and Ferrante & Teicher. Now I think Sirius/XM got it right and Music Choice got it wrong! Thanks for the info!

I wouldn't say XM "got it right" and Music Choice "got it wrong". If
anything, Music Choice got it right by presenting "Santa Claus' Party"
as a separate track...since that's how it was originally recorded and
released!

Les Baxter recorded "Santa Claus' Party" in 1952 and
originally released it as a single with the B-side "Hang Your Wishes on
the Tree". Both sides can be found on the True Value compilation LP Happy Holidays, Vol. 6. You can also find the individual tracks on these CD compilations:

I just wish Christmas Cocktails would have included the other side of the Les Baxter single ("Hang Your Wishes on the Tree") on V. 3 since that song was only released as a single and the A-side was on CC V.2. I luckily found a copy of the compilation LP Happy Holidays, Vol. 6. (not sure if mine is from True Value) so I have both halves of the single on a Christmas album.